Tip #29

Generating reports with HTML errors

Dreamweaver has an option to generate special reports listing common HTML errors. In the Site window, click on Site, then Reports. This display appears:

The report options are Current Document, Entire Local Site, Selected Files in Site, or Folder. (You cannot run a Selected Files in Site report unless you have already selected files in the files/site window.)

You also can select the report type by clicking the appropriate box. You can select one or more report types.

• Combinable Nested Font Tags creates a report that lists all nested font tags that can be combined to clean up the code. For example, <font color="#FF0000"><font size="4">STOP!</font></font> is reported. The coding for the font should be in one tag. (This type of error will not be found, normally, if you are using stylesheets in the 2004 release for font attributes.)
• Lists out possible 508 (accessibility) errors, such as missing ALT tags, possible color problems, missing table descriptions.
• Missing Alt Text creates a report listing all the img tags that don't have alternative text.
• Redundant Nested Tags creates a report detailing nested tags that should be cleaned up. For example, <i> The rain <i> in</i> Spain stays mainly in the plain</i> would be reported.
• Removable Empty Tags creates a report detailing all empty tags that can be removed in order to clean up the HTML code. For example, you may have an empty paragraph code.
• Untitled Documents creates a report listing all the untitled documents found within the selected parameters. Documents with default titles, duplicate titles, or missing title tags are all reported.
• Checked Out By shows any files checked out by another site author. This would only apply on sites with multiple authors where this has been set up in the Site Definition window.
• Design Notes looks are designated files according to search criteria set up in the Report Settings window. For example, you may want a report of all notes with the entry of Draft. Tip #5 discussed Design Notes briefly.
• Recently modified (only in the 2004 release) lets you indicate a time frame if you select the button "Report Settings" first.

The report results are then displayed, such as this example. There is a icon to generate a report of the information that is displaying.

To sort the results, click the column heading you want to sort by. You can sort by file name, line number, or description. You can also run several different reports and keep the different Results windows open. You can select a specific report to see a detailed description. You can also double-click a result to open the file in the Document window.

You may save the report as an XML file, which can be imported into an existing template file. You can then import the file into a database or spreadsheet and print it, or use the file to display the report on a website.

After running HTML reports, use the Clean Up HTML command to correct any HTML errors the reports listed.

These tips are created as part of a class on Dreamweaver Basics.